Butterflies become child’s play at park’s art event

26 June 2007

This Sunday, local children will have the opportunity to take part in a fun and free art event at Edinburgh’s largest and most popular green space – Holyrood Park. The Park Ranger Service is inviting 6 to 10 year olds to drop in between 11am to 3pm on 1 July 2007 and get creative in a variety of butterfly-themed art activities.

The children will hear from the Rangers about the many butterflies which can be found in this fascinating landscape on the heart of the capital. Then, taking their inspiration from these beautiful creatures, they’ll be encouraged to create their own works of art. And Holyrood Park’s Artist-in- Residence Barbara Middleton will be on hand to offer them expert guidance and encouragement.

Martin Gray of the Ranger Service said: "Holyrood Park provides a wonderful natural habitat for more than 20 species of butterfly, including the Ringlet, Small Tortoise, Small Copper, Meadow Brown, Common Blue and Northern Brown Argus.

"Our ‘Arty Butterflies’ event has been designed to help children understand and appreciate butterflies and why it is important to look after the natural environments in which they live and breed. And, in addition to producing their own interpretation of butterflies through paintings and drawings, the children will have the chance to make and colour large-scale butterfly wings and kites. So, they’re in for some great fun, and will come away, we hope, with an increased interest in butterflies and nature."

Notes for editors
Holyrood Park is one of Edinburgh’s most famous and popular historic landmarks. It encompasses a 5-mile radius of land and has probably been a Royal Park since the 12th century.

The Park is designated as both a Scheduled Ancient Monument and Site of Special Scientific Interest; it has a wealth of geological and archaeological treasures dating back thousands of years. These include Arthur's Seat, one of four hill forts dating from around 2000 years ago, a prehistoric farmstead of scooped circular hut, east of Dunsapie Crag, and the remains of medieval and later rig-and-furrow cultivation. The part is also an important habitat for a wide variety of wildlife, flora and fauna.

Holyrood Park is in the care of Historic Scotland, which is responsible for maintaining the natural environment and presenting the Park for the enjoyment of the local community and visitors. The Ranger Service based at Holyrood Park cares for this unique historic and natural attraction and provides a range of important educational services.

Historic Scotland cares for 345 splendid properties and sites throughout Scotland – from prehistoric dwellings and stone circles, to castles and palaces, abbeys and cathedrals.

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